5 Best Gabor Maté Quotes

“The question is not 'Why the addiction?' but 'Why the pain?”

This encapsulates Maté's core philosophy that addiction is a symptom of deeper suffering, shifting the focus from behavior to underlying emotional wounds.

“Addiction is not a choice. It is not a moral failing or a character flaw. It is a complex psycho-physiological process rooted in early trauma and developmental issues.”

Maté challenges conventional views, asserting that addiction is a deeply ingrained response to adverse experiences, not a matter of willpower or morality.

“The word 'addiction' itself comes from the Latin 'addicere,' which means 'to be bound to' or 'enslaved by.”

Maté delves into the etymology of addiction to highlight its historical and inherent meaning of being compelled or controlled by something external.

“Trauma is not what happens to you, but what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you.”

This quote emphasizes the internal, subjective experience of trauma and its lasting impact on an individual's psyche and physiology, which can predispose them to addiction.

“Not all suffering is trauma, but all trauma is suffering.”

Maté distinguishes between general suffering and the specific, profound impact of trauma, underscoring its foundational role in the development of addictive patterns.